What is Ripple?
Ripple is a San Francisco-based technology company building enterprise solutions for cross-border payments, digital asset custody, prime brokerage, and stablecoin infrastructure — valued at approximately $50 billion.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Always do your own research before making investment decisions.
Ripple vs. XRP: The Key Difference
Ripple and XRP are not the same thing. The XRP Ledger was created before the company. Ripple is the largest contributor to the XRPL ecosystem, but it is one of many participants — not the owner or controller.
| Aspect | Ripple | XRP |
|---|---|---|
| What is it? | Private technology company | Decentralized digital asset |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, CA | Exists on the XRP Ledger (global) |
| Created | September 2012 (as OpenCoin) | June 2012 (XRPL genesis) |
| Controlled by | Board of directors, shareholders | No one — decentralized protocol |
| Can it disappear? | Yes (like any company) | No — XRPL runs independently |
| Legal status | Corporation | Not a security (per Torres ruling) |
Ripple's History: A Decade of Evolution
2012
Founded as OpenCoin by Chris Larsen, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto
2013
Rebranded to Ripple Labs; raised first angel funding; McCaleb departed (later founded Stellar)
2015
Simplified name to "Ripple"; focused on enterprise blockchain payments
2016–2017
SBI Holdings partnership; Brad Garlinghouse becomes CEO; 55B XRP placed in escrow
2018–2019
Launched xRapid (now ODL); MoneyGram partnership
2020
SEC files lawsuit against Ripple
2023
Judge Torres rules XRP is not a security; Metaco acquired for $250M
2024
$125M SEC penalty; RLUSD stablecoin launches; ETF filings begin
2025
Hidden Road ($1.25B), Rail ($200M), GTreasury ($1B), Palisade acquired
See our full XRP & Ripple timeline for every milestone.
Ripple's Products and Services
Cross-border payments using XRP as a bridge currency. Frees up trillions locked in nostro/vostro accounts globally.
Institutional-grade digital asset custody trusted by Citibank, BBVA, BNP Paribas, and Société Générale. Acquired for $250M.
Global multi-asset prime brokerage clearing $3T+ annually. Post-trade settlement migrating to the XRP Ledger. Acquired for $1.25B.
Enterprise treasury management with 40+ years of Fortune 500 experience. Integrates blockchain settlement. Acquired for $1B.
USD-backed stablecoin on XRPL and Ethereum. NYDFS-approved with BNY Mellon as custodian. Market cap exceeding $1.26B.
Working with 20+ central banks globally on CBDC pilot programs built on XRP Ledger technology.
Product Comparison
| Product | What It Does | Uses XRP? |
|---|---|---|
| RippleNet | Global payments network connecting banks | Optional |
| ODL | Instant cross-border settlement via XRP bridge | Yes — core use |
| RLUSD | USD-backed stablecoin for settlement & collateral | XRP bridges when needed |
| Ripple Custody | Institutional digital asset custody | Supports XRP custody |
| Ripple Prime | Prime brokerage clearing $3T+ annually | Settlement on XRPL |
How Does Ripple Make Money?
Payment processing fees
Fees for cross-border payment services through Ripple Payments
XRP sales
Institutional/OTC sales from escrow holdings — not on open exchanges
Custody fees
Institutional clients pay for Metaco/Standard Custody/Palisade services
Prime brokerage
Hidden Road generated $100M+ in 2024 from clearing and brokerage
Treasury management
GTreasury provides enterprise solutions to Fortune 500 companies
Stablecoin revenue
RLUSD issuance, redemption, and yield on reserve assets
This diversified revenue model sets Ripple apart from most crypto companies. Ripple is not dependent on token price appreciation — it's building recurring revenue from financial infrastructure services.
How Does Ripple Compare to SWIFT?
SWIFT connects 11,000+ institutions but only sends messages — it doesn't move money. Settlement relies on slow, expensive correspondent banking.
| Feature | Ripple + XRP | SWIFT |
|---|---|---|
| Settlement Time | 3-5 seconds | 1-5 business days |
| Cost | < $0.01 | $25-50+ per transfer |
| Pre-funding Required | No (XRP bridges) | Yes (nostro/vostro) |
| Transparency | Real-time on-chain tracking | Limited visibility |
| Network | 55+ countries, growing | 200+ countries, established |
See which institutions are already using Ripple on our partnerships page.
Ripple by the Numbers (2026)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Valuation | ~$50 billion |
| Global Rank | 9th most valuable private company |
| Total Acquisition Spend | $3.7+ billion |
| Employees | ~1,400 across 40+ countries |
| Payments Processed | $90+ billion |
| RLUSD Market Cap | $1.26 billion |
| Ripple Prime Clearing | $3+ trillion annually |
| Key Investors | Fortress, Citadel Securities, Pantera, Galaxy Digital |
Regulatory License Portfolio
New York BitLicense
NY Limited Purpose Trust Charter
One of only nine in existence
~40 U.S. Money Transmitter Licenses
Singapore Major Payment Institution License
Irish VASP Registration
UK Regulatory Approval (2025)
Why Does Ripple Matter?
Ripple matters because it's building the bridge between traditional finance and blockchain technology. While many crypto companies focus on retail speculation, Ripple is systematically assembling the infrastructure that banks, corporations, and governments need to operate in a blockchain-enabled world.
No other crypto company has this combination of regulatory licenses, institutional partnerships, and full-stack financial infrastructure. Explore the $3.7B acquisition strategy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
“I bought Ripple”
You buy XRP (the token), not Ripple (the company). Ripple is a private company — you can't buy its stock on exchanges.
“Ripple controls XRP”
Ripple is a major XRPL participant but operates only ~6% of validators. The network is decentralized.
“All Ripple partners use XRP”
Some partners use RippleNet messaging only. ODL partners specifically use XRP as a bridge currency.
“Ripple is just another crypto startup”
Ripple holds 40+ regulatory licenses, has $3.7B+ in acquisitions, and is valued at $50 billion with real recurring revenue.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Bullish on Ripple's Vision?
Ripple is building the future of finance with $3.7B in acquisitions, 55+ countries, and growing institutional adoption. Ready to start your XRP journey?
Last updated: February 10, 2026. Written by the AllAboutXRP Editorial Team. Sources: Ripple.com, SEC court filings, CoinMarketCap, BusinessWire, Financial Times, Ripple Quarterly Reports.